24. Right of audience

In plain English

A party must usually present their own case. In some cases, another person may present the case for a corporate body, a partnership, a minor, a non-resident, or someone who cannot due to old age, illiteracy or frailty. Lawyers may not represent parties. The tribunal must be satisfied that a representative knows the case and can bind the party.

Summary · Drafted with AI, checked against the official text on 30 Sep 2026.

(1)

Subject to this section, a party to proceedings before a tribunal shall present his own case.

(2)

Subject to subsection (3), where a party to proceedings before a tribunal is —

(a)

a body corporate, an officer or one of its full-time employees may present the case on its behalf;

(b)

a partnership, one of its partners or full-time employees may present the case on its behalf;

(c)

a minor and is, in the opinion of the Registrar or tribunal, unable to present his own case, his parent or guardian or any other person as may be approved by the Registrar or tribunal may present his case on his behalf;

Small Claims Tribunals

(d)

a person who is not resident in Brunei Darussalam and who is unable to remain in Brunei Darussalam until the hearing of the case, any other person who is duly authorised by him in writing may, with the approval of the Registrar or tribunal, present the case on his behalf;

(e)

a person who is, in the opinion of the Registrar or tribunal, unable to present his own case by reason of old age, illiteracy or infirmity of mind or body, any other person who is duly authorised by him in writing or who is approved by the Registrar or tribunal may present the case on his behalf; and

(f)

a person, with the leave of the tribunal, other than counsel or solicitor, who is authorised in writing by a party to appear as his representative.

(3)

No party to any proceeding before a tribunal shall be represented by an advocate and solicitor or, except as provided by subsection (2), an agent, whether paid or otherwise.

(4)

A tribunal shall, before permitting a person to act as representative under subsection (2) satisfy itself that such person has sufficient knowledge of the case and sufficient authority to bind the party whom he represents.

Report

Read on from s 25

Part

Review and Appeal

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